"The Gildrock is half a mile ahead of us!" exclaimed Life Windham, the stroke oarsman of the Winooski; for the other boat had changed her course to the southward, and a side glance had enabled him to see her.
"Not so bad as that, Life," replied Dory, with a smile.
"Don't let them beat us, Dory," added Ned Bellows, on the next thwart.
"They have been getting ready to whip us," said Dick Short. "They have been at work by themselves for the last week."
"They have got about all the older and stouter fellows in the school, and we must expect that they will beat us sometimes," replied Dory philosophically. "But we have also been in training, and if they beat us they have got to work for it."
"But they are beating us!" exclaimed Life, as he got another glance at the Gildrock. "Matt Randolph has been putting in some extra New York touches, and it is all up with us."
"Not yet," answered Dory quietly. "We have been taking it easy, and they have been using their muscle. Wait a little."
By this time every boy in the Winooski was aware that the Gildrock was running away from them, and the fact vexed and annoyed them. If they were beaten, even in a "scrub race," Dory would lose a portion of his popularity. The coxswain watched the other boat, but he did nothing to increase the speed of the Winooski. Some of the boys in the boat began to grumble, though conversation was not allowed while rowing.
"No talking in the boat, if you please, fellows," the coxswain interposed, and the grumbling ceased.